Night came fast.
Too fast.
Jared didn't sleep.
Iris didn't leave.
Silence filled the room.
Then—
A message.
Jared's phone lit up.
He looked at it.
Didn't react immediately.
"…what is it," Iris asked.
"…next phase."
"…I HATE THAT."
He opened it.
Silence.
Then—
He showed her.
"Phase 2 Initiated."
Below it—
A location.
Coordinates.
Iris stepped back.
"…they're calling you out."
"…yes."
"…this is a trap."
"…obvious."
"…and you're going."
"…yes."
"…OF COURSE YOU ARE."
Jared stood up.
Calm.
Too calm.
"…prepare," he said.
"…for what?"
A pause.
His eyes sharpened.
"…escalation."
Silence.
Because now—
This wasn't small anymore.
Not controlled.
Not contained.
They weren't just testing him.
They were moving him.
Toward something bigger.
And for the first time—
Jared didn't fully understand it.